Wawayanda State Park is a 34,350-acre park straddling Sussex and Passaic counties in the New Jersey Highlands, centered on Wawayanda Lake with a swimming beach and boat launch. The park has 60+ miles of trails, including ~20 miles of the Appalachian Trail along the Kittatinny ridge.
Camping is limited to four group campsites near the lake, each with picnic tables, fire rings, and a composting restroom; there are no individual tent/trailer sites or cabins. Group sites require a 7-person minimum; water must be carried from the main office, and there are no showers.
Natural Features and SceneryWawayanda State Park Campground sits within a **34,000+ acre forested state park** characterized by **glacially‑sculpted Highlands terrain**, mixed hardwood forests, and numerous lakes and wetlands.[1][5][6] The park’s focal natural feature is **Wawayanda Lake**, a **255‑acre, clear, spring‑fed lake** with a long, sandy beach, coves, and forested shores that create a classic Northeastern lake setting.[5][7] Surrounding the lake are **rolling hills and ridgelines**, including **Wawayanda Mountain**, whose summit areas provide **wide views over the New Jersey–New York Highlands** and surrounding forests.[8][9] The area is part of the **Northeastern coastal forests ecoregion**, supporting mature **oak, maple, hemlock, and other mixed hardwood stands**, plus wetlands that host ferns, mosses, and diverse bird life.[6] Glacial outcrops—smooth on one side and fractured on the downhill side—add rock features and viewpoints along some trails, giving the area a distinctly rugged, “wild” feel despite its proximity to metro areas.[1] In autumn, extensive hardwood canopy produces **notable fall foliage**, and the combination of lake, ridges, and colorful forest is repeatedly cited as one of the park’s visual highlights.[3][5]